Mechanically-operated tongs.



R. F. DEVINB.

MEOH-ANIGALLY OPERATED TONGS.

APPLIOATION FAILED D30. 16, 1908.

976,052, I Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

- INVEINTOR WlTN ESSES V rmaw MM m: NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON. D. c.

rrnn fsrarns Parana orrrbn ROBERT F. DEVINE, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IVIECHANICALLY-OPERATED TONGS.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, ROBERT F. DEVINE, ofErie, Erie county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulMechanically-Op erated Tongs, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming part of this specification, in which-- Figure l is a front viewof one form of tongs and operating mechanism embodying my invention;Fig. 2 is a longitudinal see- I tion on the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3is a similar view on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2; Fig. & is a transversesection on the line IVIV of Fig. 1.

My invention relates to mechanically operated tongs, and is designed toprovide a cheap, durable, efficient and positive means to operate thetongs.

My invention consists of a suitable frame work to which the members ofthe tongs are pivoted, which frame work is also provided with suitableguides on which is mounted an opening and closing device for the tongs.This frame work is connected to a crane or any other device on which apair of tongs of this character is used, and is connected in any mannerto meet the requirements of the work in which the tongs are to be used.

As the manner of securing the frame work shown any means for connectingsuch frame to the device with which it is to be connected.

The precise nature of my invention will be best understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings, which will now be described, it beingpremised, however, that changes can be made in the details ofconstruction and general arrangement, without departing from myinvention.

In the drawings the numeral 2 designates the supporting frame, which inthis case is illustrated as a tube open at both ends and to the frontend of which are secured the brackets 3. The outer ends of thesebrackets are bent inwardly, and between them is supported a pair oftongs 1 by means of their pivot pin 5 which projects through orifices inthe ends of the brackets and is provided with a head at one end and anut on the other.

These tongs are provided with-the usual rearwardly extending reins 6which project into the tube 2. Mounted in the rear end of the tube 2 arethe spiders 7 in which is mounted the cylinder 8 having a piston 9Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 16, 1908.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910. Serial No. 467,791.

'end of this rod is connected the bifurcated cross-head l1.

Journaled on pins 12 and between the ends of the bifurcated cross-head11, are the flanged rollers 13; 1a is a roller ournaled in the centralportion of the bifurcated crosshead on the screw 15. 16, 16, are rollersjournaled on the outer ends of the pins 12 each of which runs on aflanged guide 17 secured to the inner wall of the tube 2.

The rearwardly extending reins 6 of the tongs t project between the twomembers of the bifurcated cross-head, the upper rein lying between thecentral roller 14 and the upper flanged roller 13, while the lower reinlies between the central roller let and the lower flanged roller 13.

The cylinder 8 is provided with the respective forward and rear ports 18and 19, which are connected in any manner to valve mechanism foradmitting pressure to and exhaust from both ends of the cylinder.

In the drawings the jaws of the tongs are shown closed upon a piece 20and the piston is moved to the extreme left of the cylinder.

When it is desired to release the article, the v tongs are moved to apoint where the article is to be deposited and the controlling valve isshifted to admit pressure through the port 19 and open the port 18 toexhaust, thereby shifting the piston and the cross-head 11 to the right.The rollers 13 will release the reins 6 and the roller 14: will contactwith the inner sides of the reins and open the jaws to release the piece20 and to grasp the next piece.

The advantages of my invention result from providing a frame supportinga pair of tongs pivoted thereto, and a reciprocating member mounted insuitable guides on the frame to open and close the tongs. Also, inproviding antifriction rollers to open and close the tongs, and a secondset of rollers which contact with the guides. Also, in providingpositively operated means to open and close the tongs and to hold thetongs in their closed position to retain the article in the jawsthereof.

I claim 1. In mechanically operated tongs, a tubular carrier havinginwardly extending brackets, a pair of tongs having two members pivotedto each other and to said brackets, said tongs having reins within thecarrier and angularly disposed with relation to each other, areciprocating member mounted in guides within the carrier andsurrounding the reins, the reciprocating member engaging the reins toclose the tongs when moved in one direction, and means to move thereciprocating member; substantially as described.

2. In mechanically operated tongs, a carrier having inwardly extendingbrackets, a pair of tongs pivoted to said brackets and having rearwardlyextending reins, guides on the carrier, a reciprocating member engagingthe guide and surrounding the reins and means to move the reciprocatingmember to draw the reins toward each other to close the tongs;substantially as described.

3. In mechanically operated tongs, a tubular carrier, a pair of tongspivoted to the carrier and having reins extending within the carrier,guides in the carrier, a reciprocating member within the carrier to openand close the tongs, rollers bearing on the guides, rollers bearing onthe reins, and a pressure operated piston within the carrier to move thereciprocating member, substantially as described.

4. In mechanically operated tongs, a carrier, a pair of tongs pivoted tothe carrier, a rearwardly projecting inclined rein projecting from eachmember of the tongs, flanged guides on the carrier, a reciprocatingmember having rollers bearing on the flanged guides, rollers within thereciprocating member engaging each of the inclined reins to open andclose the tongs, and means to move the reciprocating member;substantially as described.

5. In mechanically operated tongs, a carrier, a pair of tongs pivoted tothe carrier, a rearwardly projecting inclined rein projecting from eachmember of the tongs, flanged guides on the carrier, a reciprocatingmember having rollers bearing on the flanged guides, rollers within thereciprocating member engaging each of the inclined reins to open andclose the tongs, and a pressure actuated piston to move thereciprocating member; substantially as described.

6. In mechanically operated tongs, a carrier, a pair of tongs pivoted tothe carrier, a rearwardly projecting inclined rein projecting from eachmember of the tongs, flanged guides on the carrier, a pressure cylinderhaving a piston therein, a piston rod, a bifurcated cross-head connectedto the piston rod, having rollers engaging the flanged guides androllers journaled between the members of the cross head engaging thereins of the tongs; substantially as described.

7. In mechanically operated tongs, a tubular carrier, a pair of tongshaving two members pivotedto each other and to the carrier, said memberscomprising reins and jaws, the jaws extending beyond the end of thecarrier and the reins extending within the carrier, a reciprocatingmember within said carrier and arranged to open and close the jaws, acylinder within said carrier, and a piston connected to thereciprocating member and Within the cylinder arranged to move saidmember; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ROBERT F. DEVINE.

Witnesses K. R. KANE, GHARLns Gr. BREVILLIER.

